Men's Golf

Golf shoots for national title; young Panthers advance to final two rounds

May 14, 2014

GREENSBORO, N.C. - The LaGrange golf team remains in serious contention at the NCAA Division III Golf Championship after Wednesday's second round at the Grandover Golf Club's East Course.

The Panthers are tied for ninth—only four shots out of fifth place in the team standings—after posting a team round score of 303 and a two-day tournament total of 593.

One of the youngest teams in the competition, the LaGrange squad made the final 15-team cut, assuring them of bettering their previous best finish of 18th in the NCAA Division III national tournament. Among teams missing the cut were Concordia (Texas), Guilford and Illinois Wesleyan, all ranked in the Top 10 of Golfstat's Division III relative rankings.

"We made the cut and that is pretty big for us," Head Coach Lee Richter said. "We lost some shots at the end, but we have two more rounds left and anything can happen."

The Panthers' three freshmen led the team Wednesday. Osborne Theam had a 1-over par 73 and is tied for 12th in the individual standings.

With the Panthers starting the round on the 10th hole, Theam opened his round with a birdie. He had a drive of 327 yards, the longest of the day, then hit a second shot within five feet of the hole and putted for a birdie.

Logan Lanier and Anthony Scolapio both posted rounds of four-over par 76 for the second straight day. Lanier closed out his round with a birdie on the 9th hole, while Scolapio sank a 30-foot birdie putt on the par 5 13th hole.

Cory Howard had a 78 and Freddie Wolford an 83 to round out the Panthers' scoring. Howard is 34th in the individual standings at four-over par.

The Panthers will tee off one hour early Thursday at 7:50 a.m. because of a threatening weather forecast.